Have a Nexus 10? Want the latest version of Android but haven't gotten the update notification no matter how many times you press the "check now" button? Good news - your update is ready to download directly from Google. If you've been around the block before, you know there's an easy way to download and manually install OTA updates for Nexus devices. We'll walk you through it below.

Prerequisites

To get this update installed correctly you need to have the Android SDK installed and working on your computer with ADB (via a microUSB cable). This is what allows you to issue commands to your device in order to push the OTA file. Those with custom recoveries have it a bit easier, though. You also have to be running the stock Nexus 10 ROM, version KRT16S.

If you have made any system file modifications, make sure you roll them back.

Download

Install

Before you get started: This update method should not erase anything on your device, but back up as best you can.

You'll use the adb sideload command after making sure your device is properly detected by ADB. You can check out our full sideload guide here – the process is identical except for the file name. If you have a custom recovery, it can be flashed from there. Just copy the file.

Rooting

The update will likely kill root on previously rooted devices, but it's easy to get back:

The transparency in the navigation and notification bars already works great on the home-screen if you install GEL. So, I have no doubt that it'll work in the lock-screen after this update.

Alexandr Bahmacenco

Nexus 7 (2012) - release date July 13, 2012. 18 months of support have been passed

BrianLipp

it got 4.4, theres no reason it wouldnt get a point-point update

Simon Belmont

There's no reason to believe that Google won't maintain KitKat for the Nexus 7. I'm sure it'll see the minor point releases that the newer devices are getting.

It's more than capable or running KitKat well. Also, 18 months haven't passed QUITE yet for the 2012 Nexus 7. Besides the Galaxy Nexus saw Android 4.3 and an Android 4.3 bug fix release outside of the 18 month range (it was over 20 months). If we're lucky, the 2012 Nexus 7 might see the next major release as the Galaxy Nexus was abandoned mainly due to TI dropping support for the various binaries on the Galaxy Nexus or it would have gotten KitKat, too.

pfmiller

"the Galaxy Nexus was abandoned mainly due to TI dropping support for the various binaries on the Galaxy Nexus"

That's just a rumor. The only official reason giving for Google's lack of support is that it was too old and not worth their effort.

Simon Belmont

True enough. But their official reason seems to be subtly steeped in the fact that TI didn't have the manpower to work on those updated binaries.

how do you install this version if you are rooted and have cw recovery?

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

You can try to sideload it from CWM. Root shouldn't affect the flash but not having stock recovery may. In which case you can try to boot into the stock recovery using the factory image.

Tulio Natale

how do i do that last part?

and yes i meant cwm not recovery

http://www.androidpolice.com/ Artem Russakovskii

Load up CWM, flash zip...

Jadephyre

ADB sideload works just as well with CWM as it does with TWRP ;)

Anthony Tyson

I want an N10 I hope they do release a new one soon. I'd rather not buy the old one. Anyone know how performance is with kitkat on the N10? I remember hear stuff about when the N10 launched that it did sometimes have performance issues due to the internals struggling with the high res screen at the time

http://AndroidPolice.com/ Liam Spradlin

KK Perorms pretty well on my N10. Running GEL, it's apparent that the N10 has a hard time pushing the Google Now screen into view from the home screen, but otherwise I haven't really noticed any lag.

Simon Belmont

Did Android 4.4.1 for the N10 get the whole transparency in the lockscreen (and home-screen) in the notification and navigation bars to work? I had heard they weren't able to do it because of issues with performance (the Exynos GPU can't handle hardware overlays very well).

Thanks, in advance, if you get a chance to respond. Cheers.

http://AndroidPolice.com/ Liam Spradlin

Still no transparency after the update, unfortunately.

Michael Panzer

How about a two pane settings menu?

R

Nope. Don't understand why they made it one pan. In the first place...

Michael Panzer

First of all it's no exynos GPU. It's an ARM Mali t604 MP4. And yes it's not the fastest GPU anymore and there are difficulties with overlays, but I've got a modified framework apk on mine and transparency works fine!
Yes GEL sucks in the performance department, but Nova (with transparency) is just so smooth!

It's funny because the Android team once said that the nexus 10 is the most difficult device they've ever had to code for. With the A15 chip and that GPU.

BrianLipp

it kind of shows, i mean they take 1GB of RAM away from the system and use it just for the GPU. I know that the screen is a high resolution and it probably takes more to push that, but still...

Simon Belmont

First of all, I'm well aware that it's not an "Exynos GPU" and that it's a Mali-T604 MP4. I only said "Exynos GPU" because it's an Exynos SoC and the GPU is on the SoC and it was easier than typing out the alphabet soup that ARM loves to call their GPUs. I've been dealing with coding for various mobile SoCs for a couple years now in my app development. But thanks for correcting me for clarity's sake. ;)

Second of all, thanks for the useful information about the modified framework. I'd heard that was being worked on. GEL definitely needs some more optimization for various devices. Probably a good reason why it hasn't been put in the Google Play Store yet. I also agree with the difficulty coding for the Nexus 10. Cheers. :)

CasperTFG

Consistent homescreen folder overlay issues; when it's opened the apps, the folder itself renders transparent. It requires the user to close the folder and reopen it for proper rendering.

Kingu Prima

also available for nexus 4

DannyBiker

Is there any reason to flash the update if I'm running CM11's snapshot ? When it comes to phone, I understood it's a good thing to do to get the latest radio...but for a tablet ?

Jadephyre

At least for the Nexus 4 there is a new nightly of CM11 out that is already based on 4.4.1, I think it was the nightly from last night.

James Caplan

CM 11 nightlies for Grouper already incorporates 4.4.1. And you can dirty flash it over the snapshot. Works great!